Cat Print Fabric Inspiration

I'm so excited that so many of you are in on the Put A Cat on It! sew along! It's gratifying to know that I'm not the only one obsessed with representing my love of cats in my sewing.

To that end, let's take a look at some of the fabulous cat-print fabrics that you can get from our wonderful sponsors. First, Feline Dezine, which specializes in cat fabrics:

I love these gorgeous Japanese watercolor cats. They've all got names!

Two of my favorite colors to wear are gray and red, so I may or may not have squealed when I saw this print. I've purchased a few yards of these cutesy cats to make a fun dress.

That said, I almost bought these adorable little fuzzballs instead:

I have a soft spot in my heart for derpy-looking animals, so these noseless, goofy-looking cats make me laugh so hard. I think they'd make for great pajamas.

If those aren't sophisticated enough for you, there are also these hipster cats in Paris:

And lest you fear that none of these fabrics truly represents the terrible helper aspect of a cat's personality, there's always these Michael Miller bad kitties:

As far as I can tell, Feline Dezine mostly has 100% cotton fabrics that would be most suitable for quilts and non-drapey apparel, like my favorite fit-and-flare 50s dress silhouette. If you'd like to be able to sew something drapier, though, or more hardy (canvas tote bags?), or more fuzzy (cat blanket?), you can always select a design to be printed on the fabric of your choice at Spoonflower. I love that they print their fabric in the US, and there's also the option of choosing fabrics that are entirely manufactured in the US. I've poked through their many, many cat designs and chosen some of my favorites to show you here.

As a chemistry teacher, I of course am a fan of Schrodinger's Cat:

And as a teacher who believes strongly in the importance of reading, these library cats are a combination of two of the finest things in life:

And as a person who likes stunt dressing, I am seriously tempted by these slightly creepy staring cats -- how awesome of a novelty print dress would this be!

This cat butt print is too funny! There's also a matching cat fronts print by the same designer...imagine a top where the front is the cat front print, and the back is the cat butts!

Okay, let's get serious here. What if you need some more classy, sober cat prints? I like how this print looks like normal polka dots from far away, but up close you see that some of the dots are actually cats!

And if that's still not sophisticated enough, there's always these lovely line drawings. I think they'd make for a nice silky shell that would go with all colors of cardigan.

Lastly, a print perfect for SHB: so that I can make him a cat shirt that's not pink and covered in bows:

What do you think? Would you wear any of these prints? Or am I just a little too over the top in my willingness to proclaim my crazy cat lady status? Of course, if none of these strike your fancy, you can always print your own fabric with stamps!

FIDM Costume Exhibit + Fabric Scores

On Saturday, my dear friend Shayna came up to TCOCC to visit and we made it a sewing day! That is, as much as a day can be a sewing day when no actual sewing is done. We started off at the FIDM museum's 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume and Design exhibit, where we were seriously hoping that there would be a costume actually worn by Matthew Crawley. Alas, we were disappointed, as the only male Downton Abbey costume was one worn by Lord Grantham. Still, the ladies' dresses were exquisite, and I continue to be blown away by Lady Mary's beaded dresses.

Photo from here, originally taken by Alex J. Berliner/AB Images.

The rest of the exhibit was mostly for shows I'd never watched or even heard of, but I was still able to enjoy the absolutely gorgeous gowns from Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time, Pretty Little Liars, Great Expectations, and more. I think being next to the FIDM museum is one of my favorite things about living in TCOCC. I mean, when the Hobbit movie costumes make their way over here next year (because they have to be nominated for Academy Awards, right?!? It would be such a travesty if they weren't!) I am going to be there ASAP! And if/when I move away, I will seriously consider making a trip back just to see the costumes. Seriously, what a rare and totally awesome opportunity to look at real  film costumes!

Photo from here, originally taken by Alex J. Berliner/AB Images. Man, I want to make that gown of Cersei Lannister's. 

Photo from here, originally taken by Alex J. Berliner/AB Images.  I always like the evil villainesses' gowns more. 

After a sufficient time spent swooning, Shayna graciously accompanied me as I shopped for fabric at the scholarship store and Michael Levine Loft. Seriously, anyone who doesn't sew who is willing to come fabric shopping with me, and not only be there, but be an active participant in helping me carry bags and make difficult decisions, is a saint. Thankfully, Shayna is one of the saintliest people I know.

From the scholarship store: a blue plaid cotton shirting for a shirt for Mr. Cation, gray chambray for a shirt for me, and cream-colored jersey with mustard and purple birds on it (!), plus some grosgrain ribbon for waist stays and 30 yards of Venetian lace trim in white and black (no potential use, but it was too good of a deal to pass up!). The fabric was all $1/yd, and the trims significantly less than that. 

From the Loft, where everything averaged out to $1/yd:  unopened 5-yard sample bolts of mint/dark gray jersey and cream-colored jersey, plus a yard each of strawberry/gray striped jersey and rich royal blue sweater knit.  

I can't wait to make a couple of Tiramisu dresses from the jerseys -- can it hurry up and be November already?

This Week in Fabric

After spending a day recovering from the awesomeness that is Oonaballoona (more like telling anyone who would listen about how much fun I had with her), I finally got to work on 1) documenting the fabric I bought, and 2) working on that kirtle that I thought I had so much time for.

Beautifully embroidered chiffons, and an almost matching piece of rose-colored satin. I still have black chiffon left over from my GoF dress, so I'm thinking a black and pink evening gown. The cream colored piece will be perfect for an afternoon tea gown.

 1) I came home with a good 20 yards of beautiful fabric, enough to make that Downton Abbey-esque evening gown and that Edwardian tea gown that I have so many places to wear to. Did that sentence make sense? Right, I need to stop making costumes that I can't wear on a regular basis. I promise, just as soon as I finish up the aforementioned two gowns and my chintz 18th century gown.

I also got a bag of trims that will be perfect for embellishing this imaginary evening gown. Of course Walnut had to investigate these new trims. Doesn't that brown beaded stuff make him look so distinguished? Actually, he looks more round than anything else.

Better picture of the trims. The whole bag was $5!

I also got some jersey for making maxi dresses for the summer, as well as a red and blue stripey woven shirting fabric that will be perfect for yet another nautical look. I think I could do a Me-Made-Nautical week.  *Crosses fingers that SF will have some warm days this summer* 

Fuschia and white knit with a huge lily motif (I know, this is a terrible picture), teal jersey, nautical striped woven.

Purple/blue/turquoise/indigo/black/white/gray rayon, a navy striped knit, and a hunk of real fur. Still attached to a very living cat.

As Oona mentioned, all of this at the astounding rate of $1/yard!

My new kirtle, hastily arranged on Cecily, who is a good half foot shorter than me, hence the green IKEA stool legs sticking out.

Laced with anachronistic braided embroidery floss.

2) My kirtle is done! It took a while just to figure out how I wanted to put it together, and the resultant garment isn't anywhere near as historically accurate as I wanted it to be, but hey, when you're on a time and fabric crunch, you've got to pick your battles, right? I decided not to pick the fabric choice, bodice pattern, or construction battles, and went for the hand-sewed eyelets battle. I've fought that battle before and know how to fight it well. I also went for the spiral lacing battle, and I think it worked out better than the first time I fought that battle, seeing as how this time I didn't make a random extra eyelet.

As you can see in the first set of pictures, I also thrifted a nice straw hat and made a little caul for my hair. And to top it all off, I even made myself a little leather pouch for my 21st century items (iPhone, ID, credit cards, lipgloss, etc.), using yet another scrap from the leather grandma pants. Seriously, those are the pants that never stop giving, as I still have a whole calf and several pocket scraps left. I guess in that way it's very grandmotherly, since grandmas are supposed to always be giving out cookies and milk and hand-knitted sweaters? Anyway, it's very non-historically accurate, this pouch, being bound with embroidery floss and fastening with the most vaguely medieval-ish metal button I had and an elastic hairband. Even better, the inside is lined with poly-cotton. I also put two straps on the back so that I can thread it onto my belt.

I'm going to try to make my husband take pictures of my wearing everything later. We'll see if it happens. Still left to do: hem my petticoat and figure out the shoe situation. I am so excited about tomorrow though!

My Christmas Haul

After a week in The City (because there's no city but San Francisco to self-centric San Franciscans), we are finally back in The City of Culver City, which really doesn't compare. Except that this city has Walnut, who is currently giving us the cold shoulder for leaving him alone for Christmas (don't worry, we got him a cat sitter, but apparently that's not good enough for him). Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the awesome things I came back with!

First, this book, from my brother. It looks a little scary, even to our cat-loving family, but I'm really excited to try some of these crafts. Lord knows Walnut sheds enough.

This takes wool felting to a whole 'nother level.

My sister got me the magnetic Grabbit that I've been wanting, as well as a copy of The Hobbit. According to that line of reasoning, she probably could have gotten me a rabbit, too.

The best thing was that on Tuesday, my husband graciously accompanied me to four(!) thrift stores in Temescal -- there's nothing quite like post-Christmas shopping among other people's discarded items! I lucked out and scored a bunch of vintage patterns for $0.25 each, albeit not in the best condition. Some are more promising than others (I admit I got a little bewitched by the idea of cheap vintage patterns).

Four skirt patterns. I don't have any yoked skirt patterns, hence Simplicity 6123. Butterick 3923 has a unique skirt front closure. I like the top-stitched pleats on Simplicity 8349, and the wraparound aspect of Simplicity 4763.

Interesting design on a mod dress in McCall's 9071, weird collar on Vogue 7943, normal sweater dress on Simplicity 9333 (and right after I had to make up my own sweater dress pattern), and Vogue 7599 is a cute jumper with pockets.

Interesting draped collar blouse and simple toggle coat.

Never seen one of these before! A mail order dress pattern from Marian Martin with really cool side panels!

I also got a bunch of vintage seam tape and a couple of covered belt buckle kits! I can finally make some belts to go with my dresses!

A package of seam binding used to be anywhere from $0.15-$0.45! Also, I've never heard of Boiltex.

Also pictured above is some nice suiting of unknown material (probably poly, though) in dark gray with teal stripes. The best find, though, was this lovely, lovely wool-silk blend fabric. It feels unbelievably rich and the colors are just enough to keep it from being boring, and it drapes beautifully. I almost didn't see it (it was stashed in a corner), and even when I did I was afraid to ask how much it was. Well, I did, and the lady who owned the shop started waxing poetical about how the fabric was from Italy, it had belonged to her mother, she used to love sewing, it was so thick and wide and blah blah blah...I was afraid she was going conclude with either "...and therefore it's not actually for sale," or "...and therefore I'm going to charge you $100/yard." So imagine my surprise when she said "...and therefore I'm going to ask you for $5/yard." Four yards of Italian wool (and silk) for $20 total?!? Yes please! I couldn't walk out of the store fast enough; I was afraid she would change her mind and ask for more. As it was, I almost felt bad for getting such a good deal.

Sorry for the bad pictures in this post; I had to use my point-and-shoot since we didn't want to lug the DSLR up to Norcal.

I still need to decide what to do with it, and knowing me it'll take a couple years of sitting and mulling, but I am so, so, so thrilled with that buy. But in the meantime, I've got a Sew Weekly party dress to make up! And a cat to make up with. Frankly, between the two, I think the former will be much, much easier.

Cape Fix and Fabric Finds

I hesitate to call this a refashion, since not much has a changed, but here it is anyway. Can you spot the differences?

The lack of buttoning in the before picture doesn't count.

I got this thick, gray, plush, poly-cotton blend cape last Christmas in Hong Kong for about $30. I really wanted something warm (despite not being wool, this cape is super toasty! Sewing with it on my lap on a 77 degree day was not fun!), and my mom always says that whatever you find in HK is going to be the ultimate in style next year. This was true for pointy-toed shoes several years ago I didn't believe her; last year, despite my skeptical husband and friends, I purchased two capes and look around you now -- capes are all the rage!

Anyway, I really like this cape except for the awkward cuffs. They stick out on the sides, and that's just not where my arms come out when I'm wearing a cape. It makes for a whole lot of awkward fabric bunching in front, plus the cuffs just look silly on a cape. This model for the wholesale version makes it look kind of okay, but believe me, I do not look like that when I wear this. So I decided to fix it. I unpicked the cuffs (serging is both incredibly annoying, and at the same time surprisingly easy, to undo) and resewed the the side seams, then set about cutting off the pockets and turning them into holes for my arms to come out. It was relatively easy, just time-consuming, to take it all apart, fold back the fabric, and topstitch around to make these slits. I think it looks pretty good on the outside...but the inside is kind of a hot mess.

No hint of the hideous awkward cuff, and look at that slit!

Look at all my zig-zag-stitching in an attempt to mimic serging!

But what will I do now that there are no pockets to keep my hands warm? Easy -- when we went to the fabric district on Saturday, we stopped by the FIDM scholarship store, where I found this awesome faux fur muff! Originally $54.00 from Nine West, there was a whole rack of them: $5 for one and $8.00 for two...so Elaine and I each came away with a muff. I've always wanted a cape and muff, ever since reading about Laura's Christmas cape and muff in On the Banks of Plum Creek in fourth grade.

I can't wait to go to an opera. Or possibly just Wicked.

Besides a muff, I came away from the FIDM store with fabric, of course -- for $2/yard!

Beige with gold thread loosely-woven sweater knit, a border print (embroidered, really, not printed) honeysuckle cotton with white birds and roses, a fish scale looking knit, and a cream and gray flower print knit.

We then went to Michael Levine, where I picked up these, for $2.50/pound:

Pale pink and pale grey chiffons with silvery threads woven in, and a ruby red sweater knit, all for $4 from Michael Levine Loft.

Odyssea by MoMo for Moda, super-discounted to $4.50/yard at the main store.

Elaine and I both fell in love with this slightly macabre, but totally bio-nerd linen fabric printed with bones all over, from a smaller shop:

I'm going to make her a purse out of it, and a dress for myself. The especially awesome part about the vendors down there is that everything is so whatever; I asked for five yards of the bones fabric, but due to haphazard measuring against the seller's arm and chest, I probably came away with over six yards. The Odyssea fabric was the end of the bolt, so I got the remaining 3/8 yard free! And then there's the fact that you can bargain! The bones fabric was going to be $3/yard, but I got it for $2/yard.

I also came away with some great trims:

The white pieces were 2/$1 at the FIDM store, and the black pieces were $3 total from the same shop as the bones fabric.

Last but not least, another thrift store trip yielded this gem of a Batman sheet to go along with my Superman sheet.

What is it with superheroes and always posing with one knee up and like they're ready to punch something?

I have a lot of dressmaking ahead of me! I'm so excited!